The BJP-ruled civic body has ordered food stalls to drop meat, raw or cooked, inside shelves in South Delhi referring hygiene and “sentiments of people” as the main reasons behind it. In its recent meeting, the proposal was brought in the BJP-ruled South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) House and was approved by it, the Leader of House Shikha Rai said.

He added that the proposal suggests for “both raw and cooked meat” of all kinds displayed by shop-owners just outside of their shops. A spokesperson of the SDMC said, “It was a private member resolution originally moved by a councilor from Kakrola village in Najafgarh Zone in the Health Committee meeting. The committee then moved it to the SDMC House, which then approved it.” “Since it was a private member resolution, the proposal would now be sent to the Commissioner to be examined, if it is in accordance with the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act. He may accept or reject it,” he added.

South Delhi is famous for many eateries and restaurants selling meat products in areas including Hauz Khas, New Friends’ Colony, Kamal Cinema in Safdarjung Green Park, Amar Colony Market near Lajpat Nagar. The display of pierced kebabs, chicken and shawarma is a quite common sight at eating joints selling mean in various parts of Delhi. The Congress councilor and leader of his party in the SDMC House Abhishek Dutt said, “This is an interference in people’s personal lives. Just because the BJP has a majority in the House it cannot make such dictatorial decisions. If it’s related to hygiene they should challan those flouting rules. What is the need for bringing in such a blanket ban.”

He added that his party had opposed the proposal but due to lack of a majority in the House, the bill was approved. The Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said that the purpose behind this move was public health and maintained that there would be no restrictions on the sale of non-vegetarian food. The Indian Medical Associated (IMA) showed objection to the proposal, mentioning that food has to be hygienic, either vegetarian or non-vegetarian. “We do not find any rationale behind the move that prohibits the display of only non-vegetarian food outside shops, restaurants. If contamination of food is the concern then why to keep out vegetarian food and snacks out of this order,” IMA President K K Aggarwal said.